Forget Balsamic Vinegar, Enter Art at Acetaia Maria Luigia in Modena

Acetaia Maria Luigia, part of Massimo Bottura and Lara Gilmore’s Casa Maria Luigia estate near Modena, houses over 1,200 barrels of aging balsamic vinegar — some dating to the early 1900s. What sets it apart from other acetaias is what shares the space with those barrels: a collection of contemporary art installations by internationally recognised artists. For visitors interested in the vinegar production and tasting, that is covered in our separate account of the Acetaia ML visit. This article focuses on the art.

Kehinde Wiley

Known for his large-scale works that reimagine classical portraiture with contemporary subjects, Kehinde Wiley’s tapestry at Acetaia Maria Luigia features a dynamic scene of figures against a richly patterned background — his signature approach of placing contemporary figures within the compositional conventions of old master painting. The work holds its own against the historic architecture of the aging space.

Ingo Maurer

The German industrial designer Ingo Maurer, known for lighting work that sits between design and sculpture, contributed installations to the acetaia interior. His sculptural lights — intricate in form, precise in effect — create a specific atmosphere in the aging space, drawing attention to both the art and the rows of barrels behind it.

Joan Crous

Originally from Catalonia, Joan Crous has been working between Barcelona and Bologna for over 25 years. Trained in history and art at the Massana Art Academy in Barcelona, he specialises in glass art and developed a distinctive glassworking technique in 1994 centred on human fragility and the passage of time. His project “Cenae,” begun in 1996, captures the convivial moment of dining and has been exhibited internationally, including in collaboration with Michelin-starred chefs. More of his work is on his official website.

Davide Groppi

Davide Groppi’s lighting designs run throughout the acetaia. His ANIMA and INFINITO installations use light and shadow to create an immersive effect — his characteristically minimalist approach, where the source of light is almost invisible, suits the historic architecture of the space and keeps the focus on the barrels and artworks rather than the fixtures themselves.

Other Works

The combination of century-old barrels and contemporary art is deliberate — it reflects the same approach Bottura takes at Osteria Francescana, where tradition and innovation are held in tension rather than opposition. For the acetaia experience itself — the aging process, the barrels, the tasting — see our visit to Acetaia ML. For a guided tour that includes a certified producer visit with tastings, our balsamic vinegar tour in Modena covers both.

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